Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest on this occasion.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED – That (a) the following Members be appointed to the Countryside and Rights of Way Panel:

·       Mark Winnington (C)

·       David Smith (VC)

·       Jak Abrahams

·       Paul Snape

·       Jill Waring

·       Robert Pritchard

·       Phillip Hudson

Reports of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills

Remodelling of existing golf course to improve on-site water management, accessibility and player safety through the importation of engineering materials to regrade and reprofile part of the existing golf course, with the construction of new attenuation and irrigation ponds, erection of an associated pump house and proposed landscaping and tree planting.

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer on the proposed application for the remodelling of existing golf course to improve on-site water management, accessibility and player safety through the importation of engineering materials to regrade and reprofile part of the existing golf course, with the construction of new attenuation and irrigation ponds, erection of an associated pump house and proposed landscaping and tree planting.

In accordance with the County Council’s scheme for public speaking at meetings, the Committee received representations from Ms S Marjoram objecting to the application, Mr J Steele representing Kingsley Parish Council and Mr C Jarvis representing the applicant.

The Committee noted that the officer recommendation was to refuse the application and raised concerns about the type of potential waste which may be used on the site should the application be approved. Officers explained that the planning permission would set the broad waste types and the Environmental Permit, regulated by the Environment Agency, would control the day-to-day operations, including the deposit of waste.

Following a vote it was:

RESOLVED – To REFUSE the application for remodelling of existing golf course to improve on-site water management, accessibility and player safety through the importation of engineering materials to regrade and reprofile part of the existing golf course, with the construction of new attenuation and irrigation ponds, erection of an associated pump house and proposed landscaping and tree planting at Whiston Hall Golf Club, Black Lane, Whiston for the reasons set out in the report.

Widening of existing access to Betley Wastewater Treatment Works and construction of passing places along the access track, including 23.5m of hedgerow removal and removal of Horse Chestnut (T4) within Betley Village Hall TPO ref T80 if it cannot safely be retained.

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer on the proposed application for the widening of existing access to Betley Wastewater Treatment Works and construction of passing places along the access track, including 23.5m of hedgerow removal and removal of Horse Chestnut (t4) within Betley Village Hall TP0 ref T80 if it cannot safely be retained.

The Case Officer began their presentation by explaining that it had now been determined that there was no need to remove the Horse Chestnut tree.

In accordance with the County Council’s scheme for public speaking at meetings, the Committee received representations from Ms A Drakakis-Smith objecting to the application and Ms S Allen representing the applicant.

At the request of the Chairman, Officers clarified the nature of the application, the permitted development works due to take place and the separate approval under delegated powers for kiosks at the site.

Following a vote it was :

RESOLVED – To PERMIT the application for widening of existing access to Betley Wastewater Treatment Works and construction of passing places along the access track, including 23.5m of hedgerow removal and removal of Horse Chestnut (t4) within Betley Village Hall TPO ref T80 if it cannot safely be retained at Betley Wastewater Treatment Works, Main Road, Betley subject to the conditions in the report.

Report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills.

The Committee received a report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills on the planning development control team annual report over the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

The Committee were presented with details of the activities of the Planning Policy and Development Control team related to policy- making, development control performance against national and local targets and the staffing situation within the team.

The Committee expressed their thanks to the Planning, Policy and Development team.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Chairman to move:-

“That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972 indicated below”.

Part Two

(All reports in this section are exempt)

Nil

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972 indicated below.

The Committee received a report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills on the work of the Planning Regulation team including details of the notices served from 1 January 2020 to 1 May 2022.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.